Extended spectrum TDMA signal switching cable tap box

Abstract

A method of proprietary TDMA (Time-Division Multiple Access) data modulated signals nonlinear signal splitting (switching) system is disclosed. Said TDMA system operates over distribution CATV infrastructure and in ES (extended spectrum) that is usually allocated above in the frequency band comparing to one defined in the CATV DOCSIS standard. Said system is meant to increase data throughput capacity over existing CATV based systems targeting primarily ES (Extended Spectrum band) by means of TDMA approach. The purpose of the RF switches based tap box is to connect specific device to which TDMA packet is relayed to. This approach reduces excessive losses that are present in standard tap boxes by disconnecting other devices, which are not receiving or sending related TDMA data packets. The described method introduces switch control receiver concept that allows for configuration of various operation modes such as regular switched TDMA, amplified and broadcast modes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable tap comprising:
 an input port; 
 an output port; 
 tap ports operably coupled to the input and output ports; 
 tap port switches comprising a tap port switch corresponding to each of the tap ports, each tap port switch configured to switch in and out its corresponding tap port; and 
 a switch command receiver configured to:
 based on a first received command from a master modem, cause activation of a normal mode; and 
 based on a second received command from a master modem, cause activation of a broadcast mode; 
 
 wherein in the normal mode the tap port switches are switched such that data is routed to only a single one of the tap ports; and 
 wherein in the broadcast mode the tap port switches are switched such that data is routed simultaneously to all of the tap ports. 
 
     
     
       2. The cable tap of  claim 1  further comprising an upstream amplifier and a downstream amplifier to regulate upstream and downstream communications.